With a literacy rate of 98.1%, Croatia is one of the most literate countries in the world. Popular for its snowy beaches, rich historical monuments and love of coffee, Croatia is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe and a sought-after tourist destination. The Adriatic Sea country was once part of Yugoslavia and is now one of the youngest countries in the European Union . Croatia is also fast emerging as a prominent study abroad destination for Indian students. The Croatian higher education system has a rich educational legacy, preserved primarily through the efforts of its public universities. If you are planning to study in the sunniest country in Europe, here is a list of the most popular universities in Croatia!
Must read: Scholarships to study in Europe
Why study in Croatia?
Before we get into the list of best universities in Croatia, here are some reasons why you should consider Croatia as your study abroad destination:
Reasonable tuition, accommodation and travel costs
The average cost of a bachelor’s degree in Croatia ranges from €800 to €4,000 (INR 60,000 – INR 3,53,305) per academic year. Master’s program tuition fees vary significantly, but are still less expensive than what you would spend at a Western university. The same can be said for living expenses, which will cost you between 400 and 700 euros (40,000 to 70,000) per month. Croatia is also known for its excellent bus network which allows students to travel easily and at cheaper prices. Students can travel to countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy and Austria by bus!
Almost everyone knows English.
There are no language barriers in Croatia, especially in some famous destinations such as Zagreb, Rijeka and Istria. According to statistics, more than 80% of Croatians speak more than one language, with English being the most spoken.
Many scholarships on offer!
The Croatian Ministry of Science and Education provides funding to students studying at universities in Croatia. Bilateral agreements, Erasmus Plus programs and other mobility options are examples. Students can also save by using the 200 free WiFi hotspots spread across the country!
Scenic landscapes and pleasant weather all year round!
Students can spend their free time exploring the most attractive Croatian places. The most appreciated tourist spot in Croatia is the setting of Game of Thrones, as well as its historical monuments and unique beaches. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Krka National Park, Diocletian’s Palace, Dubrovnik Walls, Kvarner Gulf, Stradun and other attractions should be your bucket list!
Quality educational system
Croatia has a high level of literacy and the standard of living is also excellent, thanks to the high quality of education provided to citizens. The government offers free education, several vocational institutes, and art and music schools for students of all ages.
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Top 12 universities in Croatia
- University of Zadar
- University of Zagreb
- University of Osijek
- University of Pula
- Dubrovnik University
- Split University
- University of Rijeka
- Dubrovnik International University
- Northern University (Koprivnica and Varaždin)
- Catholic University of Croatia
- Libertas University
- VERN University
Read also: 5 oldest European universities
Now, let’s take a detailed look at some of the best universities in Croatia:
University of Zadar
Source: Wikipedia
| City – Zadar | Founded in – 2002 (1396) |
| Number of students : 40,000 | Student/staff ratio – 20/1 |
The University of Zadar is one of the oldest universities in Croatia. The university was formed in its current modern form in 2002, although its ancestry dates back to 1396, making it the oldest educational institution in Croatia and Europe. Today, the University of Zadar is the largest integrated university in the Republic of Croatia, with 25 university departments.
Tuition Fee: USD 5000/year (INR 3.7 Lakhs/year)
Courses offered in the fields of:
- Archeology
- Classical Philology
- Croatian and Slavic studies
- Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture
- economic sciences
- English
- Ethnology and Anthropology
- French language and Ibero-Romance studies
- Geography
- german studies
- Health Studies
- History
- Art History
- information sciences
- italian studies
- Linguistics
- maritime department
- Pedagogy
University of Osijek
Source: Wikipedia
| City – Osijek | Founded in – 1975 |
| Number of students : more than 18,000 | Student/staff ratio – 19/1 |
The University of Osijek (UNIOS), also known as Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, is a public university in Osijek and one of the best universities in Croatia for international students. It is the main institution of higher education in Slavonia, as well as one of the largest and oldest universities in Croatia, originally founded in 1975.
Tuition Fee: USD 5000/year (INR 3.7 Lakhs/year)
Courses offered in:
- Computer Science
- Information technologies
University of Zagreb
Source: Study in Croatia
| City – Zagreb | Founded in – 1669 |
| Number of students : 72,000+ | Student/staff ratio – 9/1 |
The University of Zagreb is the largest Croatian university and the oldest continuously operating university in the country, serving central and southeastern Europe south of Vienna.
Tuition fee: 14,400 Kuna/year (INR 1.6 lakhs/year)
Courses offered in:
- Letters
- Biomedicine
- Biotechnology
- Engineering
- Humanities
- Natural and Social Sciences
University of Pula
Source: Wikipedia
Juraj Dobrila University of Pula was established on October 11, 2006. It was registered in the Pazin Commercial Court Registry on December 21, 2006, as the legal successor of different schools. These are “Dr. Mijo Mirkovic”, Faculty of Economics and Tourism, Faculty of Philosophy of Pula and Higher School of Teacher Training of Pula.
| City – Pula | Founded in – 2006 |
| Number of students : 42,000 | Student/staff ratio – 20/1 |
Tuition fee: 14,400 Kuna/year (INR 1.5 lakhs/year)
Courses offered in:
- Economic business
- Croatian languages
- economic sciences
- English
- History
- computing
- Music
- Tourism
Dubrovnik University
Source: Wikipedia
The University of Dubrovnik is the youngest university in Croatia. It was founded in 2003, building on a historical legacy dating back to the 17th century, as well as decades of modern higher education. The University of Dubrovnik is considered one of the most modern educational institutions in the world for its unique programs and cutting-edge infrastructure.
| City – Dubrovnik | Founded in – 2003 |
| Number of students : 40,000 | Student/staff ratio – 20/1 |
Tuition fee: USD 1800/year (INR 1.3 lakhs/year)
Courses offered:
- Applied Ecology
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Economy and Business
- Maritime Department
- Mass communication
- Art and Restoration
Split University
Source: Wikipedia
The University of Split is one of the most popular universities in Croatia. It is located in Split and was founded in 1974 and is divided into 13 faculties with a total of 124 teaching programs. As of 2009, a total of about 40,000 students had graduated and 337 doctoral degrees had been awarded. The University of Split is a member of the European University Association (EUA).
| City – Split | Founded in – 1974 |
| Number of students : 25,000 | Student/staff ratio – 16/1 |
Tuition fee: USD 1800 -2300/year (INR 1.3 – 1.7 lakhs/year)
Courses offered:
- Computing
- sports coach
- Medicine
- Basketball training and management
- Electrical Engineering
- Chemical and environmental technology
- Environmental Physics
- Astrophysics and elementary particle physics
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Eligibility Requirements
To apply to the best universities in Croatia, students must meet these minimum eligibility requirements:
- Educational qualifications from a recognized university, preferably 4 years of bachelor’s degree to apply for master’s courses.
- Academic records and achievements from previous education degrees.
- Score of the entrance tests if requested by the university.
- Interview, videos or portfolio of knowledge, skills or special abilities, if requested by the university.
Cost of studying in Croatia
It is essential that foreign students who want to live here consider the cost of studying and living in Croatia. While universities in Croatia can cost between INR 1.3 to 1.7 lakhs per year. Generally, a student’s monthly budget will be between €500 and €1,000 (INR 44,000 and 88,000), with some months being lower and some months higher. Most students live in university residences; however, depending on the school, they may need to rent accommodation. There are also costs for books, transportation, and any other expenses the student may incur.
Student visa for Croatia
International students must apply for a student visa to enter Croatia. Students can visit the nearest embassy or consulate to do the same. Visa processing may take up to 3 months. Some of the important documents that a student must bring for a student visa are:
- Valid passport and passport-size color photograph.
- Offer letter from a Croatian university
- Proof of health insurance and finances.
- Have all documents notarized and translated into Croatian language by an official translator.
The best cities to study in Croatia
Below is an overview of tuition fees for universities in different cities in Croatia:
| City | universities | Average rates |
| zagreb | 5 | $487,741 |
| Rijeka | 2 | $33,112 |
| Cakovec | 1 | $146,976 |
| Dubrovnik | 1 | $134,089 |
| gospic | 1 | $148,466 |
| Karlovac | 1 | $146,976 |
| knín | 1 | $142,507 |
| Koprivnica | 1 | $65,554 |
| Krapina | 1 | $148,466 |
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Frequently asked questions
Why choose Croatia to study?
The Croatian people welcome international students. In addition, they communicate in several languages. For example: German, French, English, Italian, Spanish and Russian. Those who want to study in Croatia can easily adapt to the environment and also blend in with the general population.
Is Croatia good for studying abroad?
Croatia is considered a very safe country compared to other countries. The country has a low crime rate. Additionally, it is economically and politically stable, making it an ideal place to study.
Which country has free education for Indian students?
Germany, Norway and Finland have free education. There are several fully funded scholarships available to study in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Australia and the United Kingdom.
Croatia is a diverse country that has recently become popular as an option for studying abroad. Croatia’s universities are a great mix of many different cultures due to its location between Western and Eastern nations. While studying in Croatia, you will fall in love with its beautiful landscapes and friendly local people. Are you planning to study abroad but are not sure which career and university to choose? Then contact our study abroad experts at Leverage Edu and we will help you on your educational journey!